And the next moment, when she had turned her face to him and the quick smile had enlightened it, the whole face of nature smiled upon him in her smile of welcome.

Archie's slow pace was quickened; his legs hasted to her though his heart was hanging back.

The girl, upon her side, drew herself together slowly and stood up, expectant; she was all languor, her face was gone white; her arms ached for him, her soul was on tip-toes.

But he deceived her, pausing a few steps away, not less white than herself, and holding up his hand with a gesture of denial.
"No, Christina, not to-day," he said.

"To-day I have to talk to you seriously.